EBS Missions Coordinate and Professor of Missiology Junior Cineas came by tonight to give us a quick update on the discipleship group at Fèv. There was a woman there who was deeply in Voudou who converted. One of the problems, however, was that she was living on the witchdoctor’s property and didn’t have anywhere to go after conversion. As Junior visited the area today, this woman came running up to him enthusiastic.

“Pastor! Pastor!”

“Yes?!”

“God responded to my prayer! He’s given me a new place to stay!

“Praise God!,” Junior responded.

“I want to testify to what God has done for me at our service on Sunday!,” she said.

We’re thankful.

This isn’t the only good news for the night.

Also today, Junior and a group of students went into Sakanvil (our local community) just to pray for the community (prayer walk). As they encountered locals they are asked, “What are you guys doing?”

“Just praying for the neighborhood.,” they responded.

“Yes! Please, come in our homes and pray!”

We are so thankful and blessed for the open spirit among the people that we’re serving. They are hungry for the Gospel of Jesus.

Be praying for Fèv and Sakanvil as we seek to not only preach the gospel, but help people of Haiti understand the Gospel as God draws people to himself to transform their hearts and build his Kingdom.

Claudin Noralus is the Dean of Student Life at EBS. He is also an EBS alumnus and pastor of a local church. One of the issues that his church has been facing since its naissance is the presence of a particular tree on the property where the church building is located (they lease the land).

Claudin with his wife.

The land owner has refused to allow them to remove the tree because it’s believed to be inhabited by a voodoo spirit (“loa”). Even with the church in its immediate presence, people from the community worship the tree and offer it gifts. It’s believed that the loa that inhabits the tree has the power to harm or heal (depending on what the worshipper wants). Either way, it’s created a sort of “turf war” between the church and voodoo practitioners.

A Haitian takes part in a voodoo ritual

This war has caused much distress for Claudin especially who is shepherding his flock into a new, biblical worldview in which Christ reigns supreme over all principalities and powers o the world. He’s been teaching with great perseverance that the lives of Christian’s are hidden in Christ and not vulnerable to attacks of the Adversary. All of this has been surrounded with prayer. Because of this, the church has been praying against the tree for many months.

Claudin reported during our faculty prayer time this morning that the tree fell down over night. He went to leave his home for work (which is very close to the church) and saw the tree laying on the ground; just like that. No explanation, nothing; it just fell.

This reminds me of when the Philistines placed the (stolen) Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon. They were under the assumption that they would assimilate the power of the God of the Hebrews by placing His mercy seat in their sanctuary. What they didn’t understand, however, was that he shares his power with none. No idols can stand in the presence of God. All in time will fall and he alone will receive the glory.

The psalmist writes:

Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.

Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

We participated in a wonderful church service in Flavil where EBS Prayer Coordinator (and Alumnus) Belony Ebilus is the lead pastor. EBS 3rd year student Aldy Joseph preached a very powerful message on this election day about the importance of bringing light to darkness and not conforming to the world.

More specifically, on this election day, we’re reminded from Psalm 2 that God has placed His King on the throne for eternity and he directs the outcomes of the events in the world. This means that we can peaceably rest in him. Praise be to God.

We were especially blessed to have the Northridge Sabetha team join us in worship.